Your Preference ABS Or PVC?

dkillianjr

Hey guys I figured I would ask the plumbers out there, their favorite pipe choice. Although since I am not a plumber I have never touched pipe before J/K So what are you guys preferences and why? The plumbing and rain drains I have done I usually like to use ABS. Not really sure why though, other than PVC is a little more brittle in my opinion. Both are allowed around here by code.



Dave

A.T.H.I.

Around here Abs is for above ground (inside buildings) applications and pvc is for below ground applications.

Ron The Plumber

ABS

Lighter, can forced it into joist bays or inside floor joist bays easily, it has a better glue bond the pvc has, joints won't give out when hot water runs through the pipe like pvc will.

Sewerologist

I've seen PVC hold up better than ABS over the years, especially fittings. My old man was one of the first in our area to use ABS back in Ryan Homes experimental days. PVC takes expansion and contraction much better than ABS. Quieter in the walls too. PVC takes alot more time to install than ABS for the same reasons Ron mentioned. PVC is better quality overall when assembled properly.

KillerToiletSpider

ABS is not allowed for above grade installation here.

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plumbsharpWA

PVC is denser than ABS. you can't hear as much noise from PVC pipe as you can from ABS. I've done remodels on 5 and 6 story buildings all done in PVC. I could never tell if someone was using the plumbing, except when the toilet was pulled. If you can hear sloshing in the wall, that's Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene for ya!

dkillianjr

Thanks for the replies guys,I guess it is just like a ford vs. chevy type of thing Are any of you guys required to use anything else for above ground, other than ABS or PVC?

Sewerologist, where are you in PA?


Dave

Double-A

Both are allowed here under our code, but I prefer PVC as it will not propagate a flame as will ABS.

We also use quite a bit of service weight cast iron.

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EricTheHandyman

Both are allowed here. My plumber told me that he uses ABS because it's faster to install.

Sewerologist

Canonsburg, Washington County. What part of the 'burgh are you?

ABS is not allowed underground in many munincipalities around here although I recently replaced an underground in Allegheny County with ABS and they had no problem with it. I'm still getting rid of old stock.

Bill

No ABS allowed here unless its repair to existing. My preference is PVC. Takes longer to install, but much, much tighter joints, quieter, and will keep its shape. Just look under trailers! With ABS run horizontal above ground it WILL sag between the hangers over time making one hell of a roller coaster ride for the water. (Again, just look under some older trailers)

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3Kings Plumbing

We use PVC But in the walls from over head to basement I install C/I stacks. to deaden the sound in the walls. Of course in custom homes only my builder loves me for it!

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dkillianjr

I am in the North Hills area ,Allegheny county. Yup around here they have no underground preference.

I wonder why no ABS underground though in some places? Anyone know?


Dave

mdshunk

You'd be hard pressed to even find any ABS pipe and fittings for sale in my area.

dkillianjr

Thats weird, the differences in different areas, around here a lot of the plumbers use ABS.


Dave

MALCO.New.York

ABS does not melt as well as PVC, Therefore the joints are less unified.

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